Blake spent his childhood all alone without anyone to rely on.

I kicked out the maid, Jane, and also blocked Richard's ruse. But I couldn't take Blake to the festival. If the people found out who he was, the tragedy would repeat once again.

"I don't like festivals either. I like it best when I'm with my wife."

Blake smiled brightly.

Fortunately he didn't look sad because he couldn't attend the festival.

"Me too."

I clasped Blake's hand.

"Once your curse is lifted and you're tall enough to not get lost, let's go to the festival together."

"Yes, we'll definitely go to the festival together."

I nodded with a big smile.

"I promise."

Blake stuck out his pinky finger.

I hooked my pinky finger around his without hesitation.

"Yes, I promise."

But I shouldn't have promised him that day. In the end, I failed to keep my promise.

I didn't get to see the festival with Blake.

But at this time, I was still full of happiness, unaware of the events that would unravel in the future.

***

Blake and I spent the days together, reading books, studying, and cooking.

It was so fun that I forgot about the festival.

"Blake, make sure you knead the dough properly."

"Yes."

Blake did as I said.

Blake's red lips were pressed together as he concentrated with all his mind. How cute.

As I was looking at Blake working hard to knead the dough, Melissa came inside.

"Your Highness, you have a visitor."

"Right now?"

"Yes."

Who was it?

There were many people who'd come to visit me for business, but they'd usually come to the Sephia Palace.

People rarely came to the Amoria palace.

"Who is it?"

Melissa replied cautiously.

"Sir Richard."

The moment I heard his name, my expression turned ugly.

What was Richard doing here?

After our meeting at his mother's grave, Richard had once again begun to send me gifts and letters.

I turned them all down. I thought he had misunderstood something so I wrote him a letter.

Richard was the male lead in the original story and there were many women who admired him.

It wouldn't be bad if he met someone nice and lived happily.

I thought he came to his senses after I rejected his gift and wrote him a letter explaining things, but he still came all the way to Amoria palace.

"I'm busy now. I can't meet him."

I was going to reject Richard, but I hesitated.

What if he was trying to trap Blake like he did in the original story?

So I said, "On second thought, I'll meet him."

I had to find out what he was up to.

"Do you want me to escort you?"

"No. Tell him to wait outside."

I didn't want Richard entering a place that belonged to me and Blake.

Besides, what if he did something when he came inside? He might set up some magical tool or even a camera.

***

Richard greeted me when I walked out of the palace.

"It's been a long time since I saw you."

"Yes."

As usual, he looked arrogant.

It was better than being depressed, but this kind of a condescending Richard was an eyesore to me.

"This palace is rather unique."

"What do you mean?"

"There must not be any guest rooms inside, seeing as how you didn't even invite me in."

He brought up the fact that I didn't invite him inside. I became even more suspicious when he said that.

Why did he want to enter the palace? What had he prepared?

"I don't remember inviting you in."

"When will you let go of your anger?"

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"At that time, I couldn't accept your feelings because it wasn't the right time. But didn't I apologize already? I think it's about time you forgave me."

"....."

I was speechless.

Did he really believe that I still liked him?

Even after everything?

"You seem to be mistaken. I've never considered you as someone special."

"Then, I'll try to become someone special to you."

Even when I rejected him, he smiled leisurely.

Richard had been popular among women all his life.

He had never been rejected nor had he failed to seduce anyone.

But his self-confidence and gloating smile were very annoying to me.

"You seem to have forgotten who I am. I'm already married."

"Don't husbands still keep a mistress or another lover even though they're married?"

"His Majesty never had any mistresses or lovers."

"His Majesty is a special case. I'm just saying that it's just what usually happens in ordinary cases."

He wasn't even making any sense.

"So why are you saying this?"

"Why don't we go to the festival together?"

"Festival?"

In the original story, Richard took Blake to the festival because he had set up a trap for him.

But now, he was trying to take me instead?

What was he up to?

"Yes, it'll be a lot of fun compared to staying in the palace. I want to return your favor from before too."

"I don't want to go."

"Please come with me."

Richard wiped off the arrogant expression from his face and reached out to me politely.

In any case, I didn't think he was aiming for Blake today.

I relaxed my stiff expression.

However, I didn't put my guard down and spoke slowly.

"If you want to return the favor, repay the Emperor and His Highness with your sincerity."

"....."

He was silent.

He couldn't give up his ambition to become the Emperor?

"And never come to see me again. Also, I won't forgive you for making such a rude remark, Sir Cassil."

I said monotonously before going back to the palace.

Then, I saw Blake standing at the door.

"Blake, are you done?"

"Yes, Melissa also helped me."

"That's great! Let's go inside."

We returned to the kitchen as I held his shoulders.

"Richard has changed a lot. He's become very handsome."

Blake must have seen me and Richard talking.

Did he hear our conversation?

"You're much more handsome."

"Hehe."

"I'm really telling the truth. You're the most handsome person that I know."

I said, smiling brightly. Blake also smiled back in response.

"Ancia."

"Yes?"

"Thank you."

I held his hands instead of answering.

***

We went to the room, taking the cookies we made together with us.

"Blake, ah—"

"Ah—"

When I held the cookie in front of Blake, he chomped on it with his mouth wide open.

Should I tease this cute rabbit?

Just the sight of him eating messily was enough to make me laugh.

I fed him lots of delicious breakfasts, lunches, dinners, snacks, and late night snacks, so his cheeks had become plumper.

I touched his hands. I felt like his hands were becoming plump too.

"It reminds me of a fairytale I heard when I was young."

"What happened in it?"

"A long time ago, a brother and sister got lost in the mountain. They became very tired and hungry after walking for a long time. Suddenly, a house made of cookies appeared in front of them."

"A house made of cookies?"

Blake's expression suddenly became serious. He was so cute.

"That's right. The witch locked the siblings in the house and fed them delicious meals everyday. Once, she grabbed the brother's hand and noticed how plump it was. Then, she said..."

"What did she say?"

"I'm going to eat you."

I said in a low voice with my hands raised.

Blake opened his eyes wide in surprise and quickly climbed into the bed.

Was it that scary?

"Blake?"

I also went into the bed and called his name.

Then, I pulled the blanket down his face.

"Ancia, are you going to eat me?"

"Huh?"

"Am I that plump?"

"Haha, what are you talking about?"

I fixed the blanket and went under it too. Blake came into my arms while shivering.

He looked at me with moist eyes.

"Is that why you cooked me delicious food everyday? So you could eat me?"

Strange.

Why did he look so scared?

"No! Of course that's not true! Why would I eat my rabbit?"

I shook my head.

So that was why.

"Ancia, you're not going to eat me?"

"I'm not."

"Am I really that plump?"

His crimson eyes twinkled like jewels.